Like countless people before me, I didn't learn to swim as a child. Not that I didn't want to, quite the contrary, but there was one big obstacle standing in my way; FEAR.

When I was about 11 years old, I was taken with my school friends to the local pool for swimming lessons, something that had never happened to me before. I nearly drowned there and then, but I still wanted to learn. Unfortunately by now I was terrified!

Later on I had a family of my own and watched as my daughter and then my son learnt to swim at very tender ages. But that was all I did, watched. I couldn't join in the fun in case I looked stupid, least of all drowned!

Then in 1991, fast approaching 40, I decided to learn to swim, mainly because I had always wanted to swim in the sea! I had a few lessons at the local pool first, gave up again and then in 1992, (by now 40!) my shaky fingers dialled Dolphin Swim School. As Jean gleefully relates to all our adult learners, shaky fingers were not my only problem!

As I descended that pool ladder my mouth was as dry as the desert and my pulse rate was off the Richter scale! FEAR - all that stood between me and learning this amazing new life skill was rearing its ugly head again. With amazing patience and skill, Sid managed to tweak new life into this quivering wreck and taught me to swim! It took time and there were days when I dreaded going to the pool. My stomach would tie up in knots at the thought and several times I nearly turned the car round to go back home. My friends and colleagues at work were sympathetic, but they couldn't understand how it felt to be unable to swim. They had all learnt as children and couldn't comprehend my fear. Unhelpful suggestions such as "I'll tie you to the back of my boat - you'll swim then!" didn't help much either! But I persevered, and now several years later I am a fully qualified swimming teacher working for the Dolphin Swim School teaching people just like you, how to swim. Oh, and yes, I love swimming in the sea!

If you can relate to this true story, you are ready to take that first step down the pool ladder!

Swimming opens up a new world of fun, fitness and safety. You no longer have to sit and watch or stay in the shallow end while everyone else is having a great time. Holidays take on a new meaning - you can swim in the pool! Imagine how thrilled your children will be if you joined in with their water play! You can include swimming in your exercise regime - just a few lengths twice a week will make a huge difference to your cardiovascular system, and swimming is the only exercise known to work on every muscle in the body. On a more serious note, learning to swim could one day save your life or someone close to you. The statistics for adult drownings in this country are too high and could be significantly reduced if more people learnt to swim.

So come on, take the plunge! Take a deep breath and jump in! Good Luck!

Adult swimming:

Wimbledon College Saturday 1.30pm - 2.30pm - All ages and abilities